Owner tells of dog-napping ordeal (From Watford Observer)

Owner tells of dog-napping ordeal

4:23pm Thursday 25th January 2007 in News

A DOG-OWNER from Bricket Wood has been reunited with his beloved pet after a "terrifying" dog-nap ordeal.

Tiggy, a four year old Whippet, was taken from her owner's home in Bluebird Way on Tuesday afternoon after thieves ransacked the property at around 2.30pm.

After a frantic search the diminutive hound was found safe and well later that evening wandering the streets of Islington - some 30 miles from home - by a member of the public.

She was then taken by the police to the world famous Battersea Dogs' Home where staff were soon able to put a name to the little grey face after opening an email containing her photograph circulated by St Albans dog warden Liz Jakeman.

Relieved owner Ian Cottrell said: "The police told me that quite a bit of this kind of thing goes on; thieves steal desirable dogs, wait for a couple of weeks until police interest dies down, and then demand a ransom. If it is not paid then the dog is sold for breeding or racing. I didn't think we'd see her again.

"I had contacted the local police and dog wardens in the area to tell them she had been stolen so it was a huge relief to get a call to tell me she was safe."

"Obviously she's a very fast dog so I think when they opened the back of the van or whatever they had her in, she bolted."